Style Little Girls' Hair Easily

Parents often find themselves engaged in a battle with their little girl over the issue of styling her hair. Tantrums are thrown, voices are raised, and parent and child butt heads over the ordeal. It's no wonder why so many toddler girls sport cute bob haircuts. However, parents and little girls who like their hair worn long might use these suggestions to make the brushing, combing, and styling of hair a time of cooperation.

Only Wash Her Hair When Needed

Toddlers' oil glands in the scalp are not fully developed. Washing the hair frequently may cause the hair and scalp to become dry. Further, there simply is no sense in making a battle out of shampooing already clean hair.

Use Appropriate Brushes and Combs

Little girls will likely appreciate if they have their very own brush and comb. This may offer them a sense of ownership and build a cooperative attitude.

Wide tooth combs are better suited for an initial comb through to remove knots. A soft brush can be used on dry hair, never wet.

Boar bristle brushes are a natural alternative to synthetic bristle brushes. These brushes do an incredible job of conditioning and cleaning the hair naturally. Refer to Using A Boar Bristle Hairbrush: A Cleaning, Conditioning and Polishing Tool For Hair for more information.

Take Measures That Will Help Prevent Knots

Knots are every preschooler's fear when it comes to hair brushing. However, with some care and forethought, knots can be kept at a minimum. A hair band or barrette should be handy whenever the toddler sits down for a meal. Keeping food out of the hair will help with unpleasant tangles.

At bedtime, the child's hair can be braided or styled in a "biker's braid" to prevent knots from setting in through the night. Additionally, satin pillowcases can cut down on friction and help to prevent knots from forming during sleep.

On days when a higher activity level is expected, parents should consider pulling the hair back in a pony tail or braid. Wearing the hair up and out of the face on those days will not only be more convenient for her while she plays, but it will make combing and brushing go much easier when the activity of the day is over.

Offer Styling Choices and Acknowledge Independence

Developmentally, preschool age children are struggling to assert their independence. Part of the struggle to style and maintain a young girl's hair could stem from her need to feel a sense of control. Parents can support this independence by providing the child with a variety of choices - how she would like her hair styled, what color barrette to wear, etc. Parents may need to let go of the need to have her hair look "perfect." If she would like to wear her St. Patrick's Day hair band in the middle of September, so be it. One of the many challenges of parenting is choosing battles, and parents may need to realize that some hills just are not worth dying on.

Predictable Routines Allow Her to Gain a Sense of Control

Another aspect that will foster a sense of control in the child is routine and predictability. When children know what is going to happen next, they tend to be much more prepared and accepting of the event. Parents should develop a morning routine that incorporates hair care. A logical time for morning hair care would be after the child has brushed her teeth and washed her face.

Distractions Make Fixing Her Hair Go By Quicker

The child may behave better during hair care when her attention is focused elsewhere. Parents should seek to engage her in an unrelated conversation. She could be offered a toy to play with or given a simple task to complete, like cleaning the sink area. By taking the focus of the hair styling process, the struggle to fix her hair can be lessened.

Praise Her to Reinforce Cooperative Nature

Children are sponges when it comes to praise. Parents can seek to praise her for her behavior and for how nice she looks. Parents should be challenged to think of other ways to praise their daughter as well. For example, rather than just stating how beautiful her hair looks, they could express how proud they are that she takes care of her hair or note that her hair is healthy and clean.

Respect That She May Have Uncooperative Days

Finally, parents should keep in mind that little girls have their off days too. When days arise that she is less than cooperative, it may be better for the parent not to push her. Parents who can relax and let go of the need to control the situation may find a toddler who is much more cooperative. In that case, families can save the hair shears simply for the occasional trim, rather than maintaining that cute cropped bob.

A Variation of the Biker Braid

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